Drax wrote:Actually, stupid question time, it's been so long... I remember that there were two versions of the Nannuo that year. My sample is marked "old plantation" -- is that the one you're talking about? (I think the two versions were old plantation and a qiao mu, but i can't remember)

I honestly don't remember that well. I have a half depleted cake of the less expensive one. I think it was the Old Plantation with Qiao mu being the more expensive one. But I could have that backwards.

I think you are correct. If those were the only two, then "plantation" is probably the same as "old plantation" (I have my purchase notes as "plantation" so I was trying to figure out if that was the same as "old plantation").

In any case, I'm on the 9th steep of the Nannuo at this point. It has packed quite a wallop (at least on the caffeine level). The subtle sweet and floral tones I noted at the beginning have faded away into a strong and still young sheng, typical flavor for the later brews.

Also, I was QUITE depressed when I noticed that I had bought a couple beengs of this Nannuo for only 10 pounds each (and the Bulang that year was 24). I had forgotten just how much the prices had gone up.

surprisingly good, esp for the price ($5/125g mini cake sample) Someone else must have thought so too since YS had a lot and now its all mysteriously gone, prices on other sites are significantly higher now too.

A pu that is rich and decently thick, and pungent, yet will not get too bitter with extended infusions, makes for an excellent work tea. Tea has a certain wild primitiveness to it. Took my stomach a session or two to adapt. Makes the happy tou of the same price (well was) seem so unrefined. Abundant stems and buds, along with nice thick veined small whole leaves.

Time fly, this cake now is almost 5 years old and colour of the soup is deep orange yellow and the insane bitterness has subsided. It's a little bit resemblance of EoT's legendary 2009 - 2011 Bulang cakes. I'm no big fan of Man'E, and this probably is my only Man'E collection and it is mixed with a bit of other material, they say it's LBZ (I took it face value) makes the Man'E more bearable. Thus said, it has very good huigan, if any of you don't understand the term huigan, have a sample of this will shed you some light.

EoT 2010 Bangwai today. Under my care for 2 and half years, this cake hasn't changed much, soup still very pale yellow. I looked up other taste notes, I'm told this is a Jingmai? but I can't taste Jingmai and I'm not too fuss if it isn't a typical Jingmai. Anyhow, it has some interesting floral notes but I wish it got more body. Some hint of huigan.

@apache: might that EoT 'Bangwai" be a typo?How about 邦崴 Bangwei - which is (according to this list) in Simao, just like Jingmai. But as I understand things Bangwei/Bangwai is not within Jingmai, which might account for its lack of similarities to Jingmai teas.

chabaka wrote:@apache: might that EoT 'Bangwai" be a typo?How about 邦崴 Bangwei - which is (according to this list) in Simao, just like Jingmai. But as I understand things Bangwei/Bangwai is not within Jingmai, which might account for its lack of similarities to Jingmai teas.

Since my acid reflux recovery i've been able to dip into a few teas that I have sitting around.

I brewed this strong, 8 grams in a 120ml gaiwan. It has some good flavour and a lasting aftertaste along with plenty of ku hanging around in the back of the throat. As far as qi...meh. Wasn't there that I could tell. the 'water' sat level with where my collarbones meet. The leaves looked good, didn't see any issue with processing that I could tell.

I think that this tea, given some good solid traditional storage could turn out okay.

Back to HouDe's QB 88 today with ImmortaliTEA. I bought 20 grams of it. A good portion was dust. I actually liked the outcome of brewing tiny particles, at least of this tea. It was more intense than the whole leaf 1st half of the sample.

Guang, without me asking, refunded half the purchase. It was quite thoughtful. What a mensch.

Many hours and grams of tea later, I think we both left quite tea buzzed. The profound effect continues to linger! A great day, indeed!

BioHorn wrote:Back to HouDe's QB 88 today with ImmortaliTEA. I bought 20 grams of it. A good portion was dust. I actually liked the outcome of brewing tiny particles, at least of this tea. It was more intense than the whole leaf 1st half of the sample.

Guang, without me asking, refunded half the purchase. It was quite thoughtful. What a mensch.

Many hours and grams of tea later, I think we both left quite tea buzzed. The profound effect continues to linger! A great day, indeed!

Agreed on every level. Our friend BioHorn here almost got me sick with all these great teas we were enjoying. I should probably make a mental note to remember to eat something prior to meeting up for "teachat sessions". Thanks again BioHorn for your kindness & generosity!